DELPHOS —  More than 300 people attended the annual Delphos FFA Parent-Member Banquet Sunday at Jefferson High School.
FFA members recapped the past year of activities and local awards were given.
The chapter is celebrating its second year as the No. 1 chapter in the state and finished in the top 10 nationally.
Taking the top local award was Justin J. Rahrig, who received the Dekalb Award. The award is given to the FFA member who excels in the FFA activities and exemplifies scholarship, leadership and community service.
Jefferson High School Principal John Edinger was given the Honorary Chapter Degree and Charles and Janice Pohlman and Cody Hilvers received the FFA Appreciation Awards.
Star Chapter Awards were also given and include: Star Greenhand - Colin Barclay; Star Chapter Farmer - Adam Kroeger; Star in Agribusiness - Travis Elwer; and Star in Agricultural Placement - Andy Wrasman.
Superintendent Jeff Price gave a few words, commending the FFA program at Delphos.
“The Delphos FFA program represents what our education system is and should be about. The FFA remains current in philosophy and teaching style. It is student-driven. The people you see up here are our future leaders. The Delphos FFA program is exceptional and the awards and accomplishments you will hear about today prove that,” Price said.
FFA advisors Scott Elwer and Lucy Bambauer thanked everyone who helps the group and said what a pleasure it was to work with the students.
Guest speaker State FFA President Dustin Homan urged the audience to form a “Wall of Gratitude,” including pictures of things they are grateful for.
“One of my favorite speakers is Zig Ziglar — Mr. Motivation. I heard him speak recently and he referenced a wall of pictures in his home he looks at every day. They are photos of people who have made a difference in his life,” Homan said. “So I went home and made my own ‘Wall of Gratitude’.”
The first picture on Homan’s wall is his baby sister, Melissa.
“This reminds me of my family who supports and encourages me,” Homan said.
The next picture on Homan’s wall was a San Diego sunset.
“This picture reminds me that I am grateful for Mother Nature as well as my extended family in California,” he said.
The next photo was of a vehicle Homan wrecked.
“This picture is here because I am grateful for our firefighters, police officers, EMS and our U.S. troops. These are all people who ensure our personal safety and freedom,” Homan said.
Other pictures on his “wall” include his favorite teacher and a soybean plant.
“The most important thing my ‘Wall of Gratitude’ does is remind me to say ‘thank you’ to those who help me and contribute to my success. Those two simple words and change, alter and improve someone’s attitude,” he added. “Try saying thank you to someone who is helping you and see how they change. Those two words are very powerful.”
The meeting closed with the 2008-09 officers installed by outgoing officers. The new officers are: President Sean Fisher; Vice President Trina Pohlman; Secretary Krista Youngpeter; Treasurer Brittany VanMetre; Reporter Lauren Rode; Sentinel Kaia Waldick; Student Advisor Joel Pohlman; Parliamentarian Chad Hoersten; Historian Adam Kroeger; and Chaplain Dustin Nye.
Activity representatives are: Junior Fair - Meghan Dunlap; FFA Leadership - Taylor VanGrootheest; Recreation - Jenna Faurot; State and National and Van Wert County Fair - Trina Pohlman; Allen County Fair - Brittany VanMetre; Christmas Project - Colin Barclay; Food for American - Lauren Rode and Collin Etzkorn; FFA Banquet - Sean Fisher and officer team; FFA Helping Hands - Amanda Jones; Safety - Sean Fisher; Ad Sales - Emily Edinger; Fruit Basket Sales - Collin Etzkorn and Kaia Waldick; Recruitment - Sean Fisher; Foundation - Becky Steward; Greenhand, Keith Pohlman; Freshmen Experience - Brittany VanMetre; SAE Enhancement - Lauren Rode; Canal Days - Brittany VanMetre and Krista Youngpeter; Cardboard City - Kaia Waldick and Krista Youngpeter; Scholarship - Chad Hoersten; and Environmental Improvement - Cory Osting.